Reptile Walk debuts at San Diego Zoo

A male Galapagos tortoise sticks its head out for neck rubs from Jenny Mehlow, San Diego Zoo Global senior public relations representative, who asks a fellow employee to take over. The San Diego Zoo unveiled a new reptile and amphibian exhibit, Reptile Walk, on July 4. CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

A pair of rare Chinese alligators. 100-year-old, watermelon-chomping Galapagos tortoises. A two-headed California kingsnake. A bird-snacking emerald tree boa. A turtle that vacuums up its prey.

Those are just a few of the 200 critters that creep, crawl, hop, slither and swim through the San Diego Zoo's new Reptile Walk, an imaginative $1.9 million presentation of amphibians and reptiles that opened July 4.

"It's a more aesthetic environment," said Tommy Owens, a senior keeper. "It's more welcoming to the public."

Owens, other keepers and curators described a variety of changes designed to improve on the aging, single-animal displays that used to house the reptiles and amphibians. It's built to make for a better experience for guests and staff alike

Visitors will like:

• Plasma lighting that is as close as possible to natural light.

• Complementary species engagingly housed in a variety of habitats.

• Open-air, outdoor displays of the larger lizards, turtles, tortoises as well as alligators and crocodiles.

Zoo keepers like:

• Habitats more conducive to breeding, one of the zoo's missions.

• Easier access to the habitats that allow keepers to more easily tend the animals.

Reptile Walk isn't the only place you'll see reptiles at the zoo – gharials recently joined the Asian displays in Tiger Canyon, rattlesnakes grace Elephant Odyssey and the historic Klauber-Shaw Reptile House is loaded with snakes and lizards, including a 10-foot Komodo dragon.

But Reptile Walk has the friendliest display for guests, with breathing space between the exhibits, a new collection of plants – including some rare species – and a natural flow from the smaller creatures to the larger.

A highlight of the walk is the exhibit of Galapagos tortoises. Seventeen animals from five islands comprise the largest collection in North America, said Jenna Ramsey, a senior keeper.

The exhibit was updated a couple of years ago and gives visitors a chance to see the massive shelled creatures up close. The tortoises are numbered and color-coded – red for the girls, white for the boys. The oldest (No. 5) is Speedy, now approaching 150 and no longer the quick-stepper of his youth.

A male Galapagos tortoise sticks its head out for neck rubs from Jenny Mehlow, San Diego Zoo Global senior public relations representative, who asks a fellow employee to take over. The San Diego Zoo unveiled a new reptile and amphibian exhibit, Reptile Walk, on July 4. CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Jenna Ramsey, senior reptile keeper at the San Diego Zoo, gives a treat to a male Galapagos tortoise who is more than 100 years old. The zoo previewed a new reptile and amphibian exhibit, Reptile Walk, which opened July 4. CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Watermelons are a once a year treat, similar to a candy bar, for Galapagos tortoises. More than 200 animals from about 50 species are on exhibit at the San Diego Zoo's Reptile Walk, including 17 of the tortoises CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Galapagos tortoises devour watermelon slowly, but with gusto at the San Diego Zoo's $1.9 million Reptile Walk. CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Jenna Ramsey, senior reptile keeper, feeds a once-a-year treat to Wallace, a male Galapagos tortoise that is over 100 years old, at the San Diego Zoo. The zoo previewed a new reptile and amphibian exhibit, Reptile Walk. The tortoises like to be petted, according to Ramsey. CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
San Diego's skyline is seen from the zoo, which previewed its new $1.9 million reptile and amphibian exhibit, Reptile Walk, on Tuesday. CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
This California kingsnake can turn into squabbling siblings if one head is fed in front of the other. To keep the peace, keepers shield the non-feeding head to protect it from the fangs of its sibling. CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
This two-headed California kingsnake would have been twins, but the embryo didn't split completely. CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Galapagos tortoises, many more than 85 years old, chomp on watermelon at the San Diego Zoo's Reptile Walk, which opened July 4. CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Yum! A male Galapagos tortoise consumes a once-a-year watermelon treat that's too sweet to give them often. CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Galapagos tortoises would love a head rub from you at the San Diego Zoo's Reptile Walk. CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The media previewed the San Diego Zoo's new reptile and amphibian exhibit, Reptile Walk, on Tuesday. The walk opened to the public on July 4. CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Jenna Ramsey, senior reptile keeper, makes sure every Galapagos tortoise gets a watermelon treat at San Diego Zoo's Reptile Walk. CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Five Johnston's crocodiles co-exist nicely with a variety of turtles at the San Diego Zoo's Reptile Walk. CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The San Diego Zoo's new reptile and amphibian exhibit, Reptile Walk, spreads out over a generous space. Tickets are $42 for adult, $32 for children ages 3-11. Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Visitors enter through a tunnel filled with exotic frogs, a two-headed California kingsnake and more, before entering a world of Galapagos tortoises, Chinese alligators, Johnston's crocodiles and other reptiles and amphibians at San Diego Zoo's Reptile Walk. CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A bird-snacking emerald tree boa maintains a position for several minutes at the San Diego Zoo's Reptile Walk. CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A Johnston's crocodile and a variety of turtles swim peacefully at the San Diego Zoo's Reptile Walk. CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Johnston's crocodiles have eyes for each other, but when one tries to get on the rock the other leaves. CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Johnston's crocodiles come and go from the water. CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A Chinese alligator seems frozen as it doesn't move for more than 10 minutes, another stays underwater for more than 20 minutes. CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The San Diego Zoo staff install a graphic descriptions sign for the exotic creatures at Reptile Walk. CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
One of two Chinese alligators greets visitors near the entrance of Reptile Walk at the San Diego Zoo. CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A unblinking Chinese alligator floats like a statue for several minutes. CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
One of the two female Chinese alligators swims in the pond at the San Diego Zoo's Reptile Walk. CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Jenna Ramsey, senior reptile keeper, pets Galapagos tortoises, many of which are more than 85 years old, at the San Diego Zoo. The zoo previewed a new reptile and amphibian exhibit, Reptile Walk, on Tuesday. CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Don't call me a horny toad. I'm a giant horned lizard from Mexico that dines exclusively on ants. CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A male Galapagos tortoise doesn't want Jenny Mehlow, San Diego Zoo Global senior public relations representative, to leave. The San Diego Zoo has unveiled a new reptile and amphibian exhibit, Reptile Walk. CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Exuma Island iguanas are found in a small caves on the island they are named after. The one on right makes noise and nods its head repeatedly after coming out of the cave. CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A Jurassic Croc body structure has not changed much in the last 190 million years. CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A Jurassic Croc skeleton replica graces the San Diego Zoo's Reptile Walk. CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The San Diego Zoo unveiled a new reptile and amphibian exhibit, Reptile Walk on July 4. CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
San Diego Zoo visitors will like the Reptile Walk's plasma lighting that is as close as possible to natural light. Complementary species engagingly housed in a variety of habitats. Open-air, outdoor displays of the larger lizards, turtles, tortoises as well as alligators and crocodiles. CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
An aerial view of San Diego Zoo's new reptile and amphibian exhibit, Reptile Walk, right, which houses more than 200 animals from about 50 species. CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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